The above statement that “Truth is found in Jesus alone” is not the view of the majority. In today’s culture which is dominated by relativism “truth” is almost impossible to define because it changes from person to person or from context to context. We hear it said of many that they are speaking or living their unique personal truth. This belief is used to justify almost any conceivable behavior. Fortunately, we can know truth because God (and His word) is the standard for truth.
To provide context below is an excerpt from a recent George Barna Study: “Truth is increasingly regarded as something felt, or relative (44%), rather than something known, or absolute (35%)—a shift reflected in other new religion surveys covered in Barna Trends 2018. For example, many Americans (56%), especially Millennials (64%), don’t feel that any one religious text has a monopoly on truth, but that they are all different expressions of the same spiritual message.” (https://www.barna.com/research/truth-post-truth-society/)
Verses 18-21 Our passage this week reminds us that truth does exist and can be known. These verses follow our text from last week where John addressed false teachings related to the bodily form of Christ. They denied Christ was fully human while at the same time being fully divine. Satan himself told the first lie to Eve, casting doubt on the truth of God’s words.
John warns that this is the last hour. Now no one knows when the last hour will come, but we must live every day in expectancy of Christ’s return. John writes of a specific antichrist and many antichrists. The word itself simply means “against Christ.” I believe this refers to a succession of false teachers leading the way to the rise the Antichrist who will appear in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13). Jesus personally spoke at length about the end of the age in Matthew 24.
In verse 19 we read that the false teachers withdrew from the church, thus demonstrating they never were a part a part of her in the first place. If they were once truly part of the body of Christ, how then could they remove themselves from the body? John continues (v.20) writing that they “have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” The Holy Spirt is the source of this anointing. We also read that the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth and He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). John is not presenting a new truth, but he his reminding them that they already possess the truth from God. Secondly, John reminds the readers that the truth is pure, and it will not be mixed with lies or deception. Truth when diluted by falsehood is no longer the absolute truth of God.
Verses 22-26 In verse 22 John asks and answers his own question. He leaves no doubt that the liar is the one who denies Jesus is the Messiah, the sent Son of God. In verse 23 John links the Father and the Son in a bond that cannot be broken. We have no way to accept one and reject (deny) the other. Jesus Himself said “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Also in John 14:9, Jesus answers Philip’s request to show him the Father saying: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
John continues with an admonition to remain anchored to truth. This is the same verb Jesus spoke in John 15 that we are to continually “abide in Christ.” When the truth of Christ is living within us, and we are feeding our mind and spirit with truth we will have staying power. We will not be deterred or distracted when our faith is challenged by our own doubts or the arguments of others. There is a promise for those who remain faithful to truth. This promise is eternal life. Eternal life includes both abundant life in the present and everlasting life in the future. Jesus said in John 10:10 that even though the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, the Word became flesh so that we may have life and have it abundantly.
In verses 27-29 John writes of the anointing, which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the NT the Spirit once received did not depart from the believer. The Spirit is active in teaching believers what is true (John 16:13). John is not saying we should not listen to teachers and preachers, but the Spirit will help us discern whether or not what we hear is in line with God’s word. John again affectionately refers to them as “little children.” In verse 28 he emphasized the importance of remaining/abiding in Christ. He continues with the thought that those who continually abide in Christ can look forward to His appearing with confidence. His 2nd advent is not a day believers should look to fearfully. If we live in Him and follow His truth daily then we will have no reason to be ashamed upon His return, because we will be going about our Father’s business.
The final verse (29) is a verse of reassurance. Since Christ is righteous, and we abide in Him, His truth is lived out in a life characterized by righteousness. Note we are by no means the source of this righteousness, but our righteousness come through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9). Our passage this week reminds us as we grow in faith, God will teach us, not always by giving what is new, but reminding us of what has always been true. We do this as we remain in His word and fellowship with Him daily leading us to the assurance that: Truth is found in Jesus alone.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 KJV
God Bless you this Week and I hope to see you Sunday.
Chris Larsen
